Thread gage



R. L. GERGEN May l6, 1958 THREAD GAGE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 26,v1955 2 4 m A. m( "mV-v WO/ m @m ZAIW 54 INVENTOR. RUSSEL l.. GERGENATTORN EYS.

May 6 1958 R. L. GERGEN v 2,833,053

THREAD GAGE Filed Jan. 26, 1955 4 Sheecs--Sheetl 2 2O FIG. 5

O 52 INVENTOR.

7 Russi-:L L. GERGEN www I ATTORN EYS.

`May 6, 1958 R. L. GERGEN 2,833,053

THREAD GAGE Filed Jan. 2e. 1955 y 4 sheets-sheet s FIG. 6

|o4 eo loo 52 56 :l 72

58 v ne me. 7 'O8 \9O ATTORN EYS.

May 6, 1958 R. l.. Gx-:RGEN

THREAD GAGE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. l26, 1955 1N V EN TOR. Russel..GERGEN BY w l TTORN E;;\

THREAD GAGE 13 Claims. (Cl. Sil-199) This invention relates to threadgaging devices and particularly to devices for gaging tapered pipethreads and the like.

In the manufacture of taper threaded fittings, assurance of a qualityproduct requires that the threads of a fitting be inspected for size,form, taper, truncation and any other special requirement peculiar to agiven fitting. Generally speaking, however, in order for a taperthreaded fitting to pass inspection, the threads must neither exceed apredetermined oversize pitch diameter tolerance range nor fall short ofa predetermined undersize pitch tolerance range and, additionally, thetaper of the threads and the truncation of both crests and roots of thethreads must fallwithin an allowable tolerance range in relation to thepitch diameter. To inspect or gage the threads on the inside of. afitting Vor workpiece, i. e., interior diameter or I. D. threads, asocalled L1 thread plug gage (a frustum of a cone having threads on itsexterior wall surface), upon which have been accurately machined matingoutside 'diameter or O. D. threads, is employed. If the threads in theworkpiece are accurate, the L1 thread plug gage will fit smoothly andsnugly within the workpiece. If the threads are oversize, the L1 threadplug gage will enter the workpiece too far, and, conversely, if thethreads are undersize, the gage will be unable to enter the workpiecefar enough.

The inspection of O. D. threads is the same in principle as the I. D.thread inspection just described, with the exception that a L1 threadring gauge, having accurately machined I; D. threads on the interiorsurface of the ring, is employed to check O. D. threads of a fitting orwork- 1ece. p It is standard practice to employ four or more plug gagesto make an inspection of a single workpiece. VFor a threaded litting onegage will normally have threads cut to match the basic size of the upperthreads in the threaded hole. A second gage will have threads cut tomatch the basic size at the small or bottom ends. A third plug gage willbe a plain cylindrical tapered cone of proper size to check thetruncation on the crests of the I. D. threads. A fourth gage will havethreads of a sharper angle than on the workpiece and of proper size topermit a check on the truncation at the root of the-product thread. Inthis way'it is possible to determine the condition of the threads fromtop to bottom of the hole. In the case of plug gage inspection, eachgage usually has from three to six sides ground flat, providingV stepsor ledges which indicate different depths of penetration of the pluggage into the fitting. The iirst step will indicate the minimum amountof penetration into the fitting which is acceptable, the second stepwill indicate the ideal or standard amount of penetration for anacceptable piece,V

and the third step will indicate the maximum amount which a plug gagemay permissibly enter a workpiece in order for the piece to beconsidered acceptable. With respect to the L1 plug gage adapted to gagethe upper threads of a workpiece, the lower threads are eliminated AUnite States Patent O 'i 2,833,053 Patented May 6, 1958 from the gage sothat only the threads being checked'will and the workpiece are makingengagement. The sharp angle or root truncation plug makes contact overthe entire threaded portion of the workpiece as does the plainUnthreaded conical or plan tapered plug for checking the truncation atthe crest of the I. D. threadV in the work-V VEach of these subsequentchecks is a fun ion of the tirst or basiclsize check.

These gages are separately mounted on suitable handles for Van inspectorto grip in assisting him manually to thread a gage into a workpiecewhereby he may observe the extent to which Vthe gage and the workpieceare coupled. The flats which are ground away on the three sides of theplug gage are machined at points correspending tothe standard minimum,basic and maximum allowable diameters. ltwill be understood that ingaging male fittings, a ring gage will be employed in lieu of the pluggage; otherwise the inspection procedure will be similar.

The principal diiiculty in this type of sequential inspection is thatthe inspector must remember the degree of turn by which the lirst gagefails to make perfect engagement with the workpiece. Thereafter, theadditional amount of turn which the second and fourth gages require tomake perfect engagement with the remaining threads of the workpiece andthe depth of penetration of the third or plain conical gage must also bekept in mind by the inspector in order to determine whether the totalnumber of turns short or in excess of engagement between the gages andthe workpiece exceeds the permissible tolerance range. Experience hasshown that it is ditlicult for an operator to keep these fractions of aturn in mind and to correlate them properly with the condition of thethreads in the workpiece determined by the basic pitch diameter of L1check.

It is, therefore, a principal object of this invention' to provide athread gaging device in which any number of inspections on a threadedworkpiece may be made and the results of the series of inspectionscorrelated accurately to indicate whether or not the threads inspectedare within the acceptable standards required. Another object of theinvention is to provide a thread gaging device adapted to make aplurality of inspections on a workpiece in which each subsequentinspection is indicated on a suitable indicating device as a function ofthe preceding inspectlon.

Other objects include the provision of a thread gaging device which ismore accurate than those heretofore available; the provision of a threadgaging device which is simple to handle, rugged, eicient, andinexpensive; and the provision of a thread gaging device which may bemanually operated and held in one hand by an operator during the threadgaging operation In order to avoid human error ofY judgment in making;

The manner in K which this result is achieved may be best understoodfrom invention shown in Figure 1 taken on the line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a perspective schematiodetail drawing showing the means foractuating the dial indicator of the device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a plan view of another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the embodiment of theinvention shown in Figure y5 taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to t that of Figure 6taken on the line 7-7 of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is an elevational View of yet another embodiment of theinvention with parts broken away to show the structure; Y 'Y Figure 9 isa sectional elevationalview of the embodiment of the invention shown inFigure 8 taken on the line 9 9 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a schematicdetail of the stationary opaque face of the dialgage used with the embodiments of the invention shown in Figures 1 and5;

Figure 11 is a schematic detail of the transparent dial lface secured inthe rotatable bezel and mounted over the stationary opaque dial face ofFigure 10; t

Figure 14. is a schematic detail of the dial gage similar to Figure 13,but showing the dial gage needle in alternate positions;

Figure 15 is a schematic detail of the dial gage similar to Figures 13and 14, butshowing aV different type scale on the Watch crystal cover;

. Figure 16 is a schematic detail of the dial gage similar to Figures13-15, but showing additional scales or overlays on the. movable.`transparent dial face;

Figure 1.7 is a schematic perspective fragmentary view of thetransparent .plate and center plunger of the embodimentfoftheinventionshown in Figure S;

Figure 18` is.aschematicelevational fragmentary view of the transparentplate andcenter plunger similar to Figure 17;and

Figure19, is a fragmentaryelevational view of a ring gage adapteremployed in'one embodiment of the invention. p

Attention first directed to Figure 1k whichshows aV cruciform type or"body 20 Vhaving.pairs-of opposed arms 22-24, and 26-2S, extendingradially from the center of the body. Each arm is provided inits. endportion with a bore for receiving and securing an adapter 32 for holdingthe taper shank ofa standardV plug gage 84 or ring gage 192 (see Figure19).V The adapters 32 holding the thread pluggagesare locked in place bymeans of tiush fasteners 38, such as""Allen head set screws or the like,so that'the thread pl'u"g"`g"age may be adjusted radially relative tothe body in order to set up the gage for any series of measuring orgaging operations.

The opposed arms areprovided withV tunnels or bores 40 andi42 to houseplungers 44 and 46, respectively, which extend therethrough andoutwardly beyond the opposite end portions of the arms. It willbeseen inFigures 2 and 3 that'jthese plungers areresilientlyy posif workpiece Wto be gaged is threaded thereon.

' plunger d6. will, as

4 tioned by means of coil springs 48. Screws 50 and $2, and hold pins 54and 56, which extend from the ends thereof into the spring portions,position and hold the springs in their respective bores. Each plungermay be depressed from either of the opposite sides of the cruciform bodyand its spring will return the plunger back to a normal position ofrest.

The opposite ends of the plungers are provided with small transverselyprojecting arms 58 having engaging tips 6d embedded therein, the purposeof which will be set forth inV greater detail hereinbelow. The plungersVare providedwith pairs of opposed wedge-like surfaces 62--64 and 66-68(see Figure 4) which are inclined inwardly and downwardly toward thecenters of the plunger.. It will be noted that each plunger resides inthe body of the gaging device in a plane spaced from and parallel to theplane of the other plunger so that each may be reciprocated in its ownhousing without interference from the other. Thus, considering surfaceto be the top surface of the gage, plunger 44 is in a plane spacing itabove plunger 46. This relationship is shown clearly in the perspectiveof Figure 4 wherein it may be seen'that the plungers are normal to eachother in parnllel planes which are spaced vertically apart.

A dial ga'ge 72 is secured to the top face 70 of the body 20 and hasdepending therefrom a dial actuating finger or plunger 74 which isVprovided with a pair of feelers or pins 76 and 78 projecting normallytherefrom. .The finger 74 is normal to both of the'plungers 44 and 46and the pins 76 and 78 are normal to both the finger 74 and theirrespective plungers. Thus, pin 76 is normal to plunger 44 andpin 78 isnormal to plunger 46. Pin 76 is adapted to be engaged by wedge surfaces66 and 68 depending upon which direction the plunger 44 is moved andlikewise pin 78 is adapted to be engaged by wedge surfaces 62 or 64.Consequently, if either plunger is depressed in either direction, awedge surface will engage one of the two feelers to cause the finger 74to be forced upwardly in a direction normal to the direction of themovement of the plunger. Suitable connecting means are. provided betweenVthe iing'er 74 and a needle 30 (see Figure 10) adapted to sweep thesurface of the dial gage face 82, so that vertical reciprocation offinger 74, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, will be converted into rotarymotion of the needle 80 over the face 82 o'f the dial gage 72.

ln operation, lassuming that theV interior threads of a workpiece are tobe gaged, a plug gage 84 (see Figure l) is integrally secured to shank32 in any manner well known to those skilled in the art. The master ringgage is screwed onto the plug 84 until it reaches a snug posi-A is thenremoved. Each of the other plugs in the unit is set in a similar fashionin relation to line 166 on dial The end S6 of plunger 46 is thendepressed to clear the threaded portion 8 of the plug gage 34 and theTip 60 of arm Si; is than allowed gently to engage the under surface orreference surface S9 of the workpiece W. Axial movement of plunger 46causes relative movement between wedge `surface 62 and pin 78 to shiftnger Mon its axis 91V (see Figure 4). Movement of the aforesaid, causethe needle 50 of the Y dial face 32; to revolve or oscillate about itsaxis until the tip 6i?. of the arm 53 cornes to rest on theworkpiecereference surface89.

The position of the needle 86 with respect to the tolersuitable markingmeans, and the gaging operation then proceeds to the next gage on one ofthe other arms of the body 20, wherein another element of threads may begaged. Thereafter, the second position of the needle is noted and, if itis within a permissible marking on the overlay on the face of the dial,the gaging operation can proceed on to the third and fourth operation,noting each time whether or not the needle is within the permiible rangefor that particular gaging operation. If the needle is within eachpermissible marking for each corresponding gaging operation, then, atthe end of the last gaging operatiomit has been determined VWithout anymental computation on the part of the operator that the piece isaccepable for use. A preferred use and system of dial markings andoverlays Will be described more fully hereinafter rin conjunction withgaging of workpieces.

Reference is Ynow made to Figure which shows a second embodiment of theinvention particularly adaptable for gagingV operations involving aseries of three inspections. A body 90 comprises three arms 92, 94 and96 which are equi-angularly spaced, one from the other, the axes ofYeach being otset from the center of intersection ofthe pluugers 98, 108and 1.132, as will be more fully described hereinbelow. With the dialgage 72, as shown on the top face 104 of the 4body 90, the instrumentmay be very easily carried in one hand while the other hand places thelittings to be gaged on their respective gages secured in the arms ofthe body. If a workpiece isbeing gage onV -a gage carried on arm 96,thenarm. 92 may 'rest across the palm of the left hand, and arm 94 willrest between the thumb and forelinger of Athis hand, whereas arm 96 willextend outwardly along therlingersextended of the hand. The Ameans forsecuring the adapters 32 of the gages inthe arms is identical to thatdescribed inthe lirst embodiment discussed and the engaging tips 6i) andarms 58 integrally secured to the end portions of the plungers 98, 100,and 102 are also similar in construction.

Trigger means 106 are secured to the end portions of the plungers fordepressing the plungers in order that they may Vbe clear of the gageswhen workpieces are being threadedrthereon. These trigger grips 106 are,of course, `equallyadaptable for use on the cruciform type gagingdevice4 21)'Y and it is not intended bymerely showing the trigger gripsin Figurer 5 thatpthey are restricted to this embodiment alone.

With the body .of the gage positioned in the hand, as described,the'index nger ofthe handvis thenrfree to seize the trigger grip 106 andapply pressure thereto in order to depress the plunger 102. The positionof each arm with respect vto the hand is, of course, interchangeablewiththe position of any other arm, depending '011. the sequence of gaging`operations and whichrparticular gaging operation is being performed atthe vmoment.

each plunger will engage the dial gage actuating fingerV 116 tosweep-the vneedle Si) overthe face of the dial in the same manner asthat set forth with respect to the apparatus described in conjunctionwith Figures l, 2, 3, and 4. Plungers 98,' 100, and 102 are spring-urgedThe principal difference between theembodiment of K outwardly by meansof coil springs48. Spring pins 56,

and set screws52 delimitvthe position of the coil springs with respectto their housings 114 in the plungers. The construction and parts arethe same in all three plung-v ers.Y It will be, noted that theeaxes oftheeplungers intersect at 118 beneath the lower end of linger v116, andit:- is this point 118from which the arms 92, 94; and 96 are offset. i

As shown in Figures 5 and 7, plunger 98 has been depressed and thereforehas contacted the finger 116 and forced it upwardly, whereas the taperedends and 112 of plungers '100 and V162. have been withdrawn by means oftheir respective .springs 48 so as not to be in interference with themovement of plunger 98.- In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, movementof one plunger will deactivate the elect of movement of the secondplunger. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, once a plunger has beendepressed there would be interference between plungers if a second onewere to be actuated before the first one is released. This does notconsti tute a practical problem, however, inasmuch as the gaging issequential and there is no need to depress more than one plunger'at atime. Any accidental depression of a second plunger `would cause nodamage to the instrument, unless it were exceptionally severe.

The arm which rests across the palm of the hand may be likened to apistol grip of a rearm and the trigger grip likened to the triggermechanism of the firearm. If the body of `the'apparatus is held in theleft hand, it would normally be more convenient to employ the triggergrip on the upper side of arm 96. However, if desired, the body of theapparatus may be held in the right hand wherein the trigger grip wouldhe in the position normally found on apistol. Either position isperfectly adequate for inspection activities and it is a matter ofpreference which handthe instrument is held in. with respect to thecenter of the body 90 is such that the apparatus can be .comfortablyoperated irrespective of which h-and is employed in holding theapparatus.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 8 and 9 is moresuitable for use in bench gaging, i. e., resting the apparatus on a workbench rather than in the hand, and comprises a rectangularly shaped body120 which is adapted to hold a plurality of gages 122, 124, and 126vertically aligned and adjustably locked therein. The means for lockingthe .Shanks of each thread gage is similar to that set forth in theembodiments of Figures 1 and 5, and each plunger is placed parallel andadjacent toits corresponding thread gage.

Plungers 142, V144, and. 146 are urged upwardly by means of coil springs128, and the pressures of the springs are adjusted by means of plates130 and pins 132 coutained in sleeves 136 and held in place by setscrews 134 (see Figure 9). Arms 138 are secured to the upper ends ofeach plunger to engage the reference surface 149 of the workpiece beinglgaged. When a workpiece W is threaded onto the gage 124, it willdepress the plunger 144 by means of contact with the arm 138 and theplunger may then be locked in position by means of set screv/.141 whichis threadedly engaged to the body 129 of the apparatus.

The center plunger 144 is provided with marking 147 (see Figures 9 and17) and this plunger may be used in the initial gaging operation of aseries of three operations, wherein the workpiece is placed iirst on thecenter gage 124, and the plunger is then locked in its depressedposition. The outside plungers 142 and 146 Vare pro vided withhorizontally and inwardly extending arms 148 and 150 which are alsoprovided with markings 152 and 154, respectively, and are alignable withrespect to the markings 147 on the center plunger 144. Thus, Yaworkpiece W may first be placed on the center gage 124 and the plunger144 vlocked in position as aforesaid. v1/hereinafter, the same workpieceW is then removed and placed on tr e thread gage 126 to the right andthis corresponding plunger 146 is also depressed. If the marking 154 onthe horizontal arm 150 align in any predetermined relationship with themarking 147 on the center plunger 144, it may be considered that theworkpiece W is then ready for inspectionY by the Ataper gage 122 on theleft. Depression of the plunger 142 by the 'verkpiece'W on the tapergage will cause the marking `(See Figure 5.)

The roffset arrangement of the arms 152 on horizontal arm 148 tocomeinto some degree of alignment with the markings V147 on the centerplunger 144,` and if they also are within a predetermined prescribedzone` with respectte marking 147, the workpiece Wwill be consideredacceptable for use. y l

lnorder to set up a gaging sequence, transparent plate 158 is providedon the front face of the body 120 and markings 160 are etched orotherwise suitably inscribed thereon corresponding to the marking 147 onthe center plunger 144.l The position of the shank 162 of the centergage 124 is next vertically adjusted with a master ring gage fullythreaded onto the plug gage 124 and with the under or reference surfaceof the ring gage in pressure contact with arm 138. When the marking 147on the plunger 144 coincide with the marking 160 on the` transparentplate 158, the shank 162 is then locked in place in body 1207by setscrew 164.

Alignment of `marking 147 with markingsr160 indicates an ideal matchbetween parts with respect to the iirst inspection. With` a productionworkpiece in lien ofv a standard ring gage, the position of the marking147 on the centerplunge'r 144 with respect to marking 160 on plate 158is fundamental. If these markings are not within an acceptable degree ofcoincidence or overlap, then there is no needvto proceed with the secondand thirdinspections since the piece W has been detected as faulty atthe outset. If the markings are sufliciently close one with the otherbetween the transparent plate 158 and thecenter plunger 144, the plungeris locked in place with thumb screw 141 (before workpiece W is removed).kThe workpiece W is then removed. from gage 124 and screwed snugly ontogage 126. The position of the markings on the horizontal bar 150 is thenobserved with reference to the line 147. If the line 147 lies within thepermissible limits 154, the workpiece W is removed from gage 126 andplaced on gage 122. The position of the markings on horizontal bar 148is noted with respect to the line 147. If the line 147 is within thepermissible `limits 152 on bar 148, the piece is considered good. Thepositions of markings 152 and 154 are, therefore,v functions oftheposition of the marking 147 on the center plunger.

The embodiments of the invention, shown in Figures l andVS, `employthesame principle of graphically or geometrically relating one tolerancearea to another, each subsequentY area being a function of a precedingtolerance area. Referring now to Figure l0, a dial gage 72 is seenhaving a dial face 82 and a rotatable needleV 80 which sweeps acrossthis dial face. On the dial face is a series of three markingsindicating basic size 166 in the center, minimum undersize 168 to theleft, and maximum oversize `170 to the right. VThus, if the needle 80comes to rest anywhere between minimum line 168 and maximum line 170,the piece is acceptable as far as the first inspection step isconcerned. The dial gage 72 is provided with a bezel 172 (see Figure 11)which is `rotatable about the periphery ofthe dial 82. f The bezel 172houses a transparent dial face 174 upon which may beV inscribed anydesirable markings or overlays 93. The bezel 172 together with thetransparent dial face 174 may be revolved to any position of the dial.,Y

ln the particular application of the dial gage, similar basic, minimumand maximum tolerance lines 176, 17S and respectively are inscribed onthe face of the transparent dial face. When the position of the needle80 is determined following the rst inspection operation (see Figure l2),the bezel 172 is rotated until the' basic line 176 of the overlay 93 ofthe transparent dial face coincides with the arm of the needle 80 (seeFigure 13). Thus, for example, if theV workpiece being gaged at thefirst position causes the needle to Yfall halfway 'between basic line166. and minimum line V168, then the basic line 176 on the Voverlayr`will be revolved to coincide with the needle position shown in Figure13.V The workpiece W is then shifted tothe second gage andthe plungerappropriately depressed. If the needle 80 then falls anywhere betweenthe minimum and maximum lines 17S and 180 delimiting the acceptable zonefor the second inspection, such as needle 80a in Figure 14, the piece isthen ready for the third inspection. If, however, during the secondinspection the needle should come to rest beyond the minimum and maximumlines 178V and 180, such as needle 80b in Figure 14, then it would bebeyond the zone delimited on the face of the transparent dial face 174and the piece would be rejected as failing to pass the secondinspection. Thus, it may be seen that although a piece may pass thefirst inspection by virtue of the needle 80 being between minimum andmaximum lines 163 and 170, the threads gaged in the second operation maybe too far from standard to permit the piece to be passed.

Y the piece has passed all three inspections and is known to haveacceptable threads.

It will be seen, therefore, that each subsequent operation isa functionof the rst inspection so that the position of the tolerance range of thesecond, third and sub sequent operations is dependent on the size of thepiece with` respect to the first inspection. Thus, although. anyseparate inspection might have indicated an acceptable workpiece, thevarious inspections in combination, each as a function of the first one,must be passed in that order. Any number of zones or overlays may beinscribed on the face of the bezel transparent dial face 174 dependingon the number of different types of threads to be gaged on thisparticular apparatus, for instance,

Army-Navy Pipe Thread Overlays, National Gas Con-- nection Pipe ThreadOverlays, Dry Seal Pipe Thread Overlays and the like (see Figure 16). v

` To gage a different type of thread having dilerent standards, it ismerely necessary to remove the adapters secured with the plug gages andreplace withother plug gages having matching Shanks.

In order to gage 0. D'. threads, a ring gage adaptedl 184 (see Figure19), secured to shank 186 on one side of the adapter, is locked in placeon an arm 188 of the ap paratus so that a plunger 190 may passconcentrically through Vthe ring'gage 192. The adapter comprises aclamping plate 204, a base plate206, and shank 186. The ring gage 192 ispositioned and clamped between plates 204 and 206 by means of threadedfasteners such as 207. No plunger depressing trigger, such as trigger106 shown in Figure 5, is required with this adapter inasmuch -as theend 194 of the workpiece 196 will contact the plunger flange or cap 198and depress it as the O. D. threads 200 of the workpiece make threadedengagernent with the I; D. threads 202 of the ring gage 192.

Thus, it maybe seen that the present invention proworkpiece threads areacceptable for use or not.

lWhileherein shown and described are preferred embodiments of theinvention, it is contemplated that the f invention is susceptible ofembodiment in other forms,

and is applicable to a variety of situations, without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention.

` I claim:

Yl. A thread gaging device comprising: a body; a plurality of gagessecured to and projecting outwardly from saidbody; means to axiallyadjust said gages; aV resilient plunger housed in said body parallel andadjacent to each of said gages, each plunger being spring urgedoutwardly from said body; means lfor depressing each 'plunger responsiveto sequential threaded engagement of a workpiece with each gage; meansfor holding each plunger in a depressed position; a scale secured tosaid body; and tolerance limit markings on said plungers alignable withgradations on said scale, whereby depression of said plungers in apredetermined sequential order provides a relationship between saidscale and said tolerance limit markings to enable the classification ofthe threads of said workpiece.

2; The device set forth in claim 1 wherein said gages are of the plugtype and are mounted on Shanks adapted to be axially adjustable withrespect to said body.

3. The device set forth in claim 1 wherein said gages are of the ringtype and are mounted on shanks adapted to be axially adjustable withrespect to said body and with said ring type gages being concentricallyalignable with respect to said plungers, whereby said plungers areaxially depressible by contact with workpieces threadedly received insaid ring type gages.

4. The device set forth in claim 1 wherein said gages are parallel andoutwardly extending from the same side of said body.

5. A thread gaging device comprising: a multiarmed body; a gage securedto and projecting outwardly from the end of each arm; mean-s to axiallyadjust said gages;

a plunger housed in each arm parallel and adjacent to each of saidgages, each plunger being spring urged outwardly from the end of itsrespective arm; first means for depressing each plunger responsive tosequential threaded engagement of a workpiece with each gage; a dialgage secured to said body at the intersection of said arms having anactuating plunger extending inwardly therefrom to intersect the paths ofmovement of said reciprocating plungers; the inner ends of said plungersbeing tapered and normally positioned clear of the intersection of thepaths of movement of said' plungers, whereby inward movement of thetapered ends of each which said needle must come to rest if a workpieceis acceptable. y Y 9. The device set forth inclaim 5, wherein said dialgage comprises: a needle revolvable by said actuating plunger insequential order responsive lto the sequential engagement of a workpieceon each gage will engage said dial gage actuating plunger to operatesaid dial gage.

6. The device set forth in claim 5, including second means fordepressing each plunger comprising a strap secured to the upper end ofeach plunger and extending downwardly to terminate into a trigger typegrip, whereby said gaging device may be held by hand and the plungerdepressed by pressure on said trigger grip from a nger of said hand,each plunger being depressed to clear its respective gage prior toreceiving a workpiece.

7. The device set forth in claim 5, wherein the axes of said arms arearrayed equi-angularly about their common junction whereby each armalternatively serves as a pistol type grip, each armY beinginterchangeable with each other arm; and second means for depressingeach plunger of each arm being trigger-shaped for pressure engagement ofan index linger of an operator.

8. The device set forth in claim 5, wherein said dial gage comprises: aneedle revolvable by said actuating plunger; a dial face having firstmarkings delimiting predetermined minimum and maximum tolerance ranges,and a basic size marking between said tolerance ranges; a revolvablebezel secured to said dial; a crystal in said bezel having secondmarkings delimiting predetermined minimum and maximum tolerance rangesas a function of said iirst mentioned markings; and third markings onsaid crystal delimiting predetermined minimum and maximum toleranceranges as a function of said first mentioned markings, whereby saidmarkings on said crystal dial face to provide consecutive toleranceranges within plunger; a dial face having first markings delimiting apredetermined tolerance range, a bezel rotatably secured to said dial; acrystal in said bezel; markings on said crystal delimiting predeterminedtolerance ranges as functions of said first mentioned tolerance range,whereby said markings on said crystal may be aligned with respect to thesaid needle at rest within said first mentioned tolerance range toprovide consecutive tolerance ranges within which said needlemust cometo rest if a workpiece is acceptable.

l0. A thread gaging device comprising: a body having a plurality ofopposed pairs of arms extending radially therefrom; a gage adjustablysecured to the end of each arm and projecting outwardly therefrom; aplunger housed in and passing through each lpair of arms to extendoutwardly beyond each end, said plungers being axially reciprocable andhaving spring means to automatically center said plungers; a pair ofinclined planes on each plunger directed inwardly and downwardly towardthe center of the plunger; a dial gage secured to said body; meansextending inwardly from said dial gage into said body to alternatelycontact each inclined plane responsive to the axial direction ofmovement of each plunger; and a dial needle operably connected to saidmeans, where# by consecutive axial movement of each plunger responsiveto consecutive threaded engagement of a workpiece on each gage actuatessaid means to rotate said needle.

11. A thread gaging device comprising: a cruciform body, a gageadjustably secured to the end of each arm of the body and projectingoutwardly therefrom; a

plunger housed in each pair of axially aligned arms to extend outwardlybeyond each end thereof; spring means to pre-position each plunger andto return each plunger thereto after displacement therefrom; a dial gagesecured to said body; a reciprocable dial gage actuating fingerextending inwardly into said body normal to said plungers and adapted tocause rotation of a dial gage needle; inclined surfaces on saidplungers; and means secured to said nger adapted to alternately engagesaid surfaces, whereby axial movement of either plunger will impartaxial movement to said iinger.

12. The device set forth in claim 11, wherein each of said plungers isprovided with a pair of opposed inwardly and downwardly directedinclined surfaces at its center; said means comprising a pair offeelers, one for each pair of inclined surfaces, each of said feelersbeing acted upon alternately by each inclined surface of its respectivepair of inclined surfaces to axially reciprocate said linger.

13. A thread gaging device comprising: a body; a plurality of gagessecured to said body to project outwardly therefrom; a resilient plungeradjacent each gage and depressible by a workpiece sequentially receivedby each gage; and a dial gage secured to said body to indicate limitinga predetermined tolerance range; a bezel rotatably secured to said dial;a crystal in said bezel; markings on said crystal delimiting a pluralityof predetermined tolerance ranges as a function of said first mentionedtolerance range, whereby said markings on said' crystal may be alignedwith respect to the said needle at rest within said first mentionedtolerance range to provide consecutive tolerance ranges in which saidneedle may come to rest if a workpiece is acceptable. Y

(References on following page) 1 1 References Cited in the le of thispatent 2,668,362 UNITED STATES PATENTS gggs; 1,706,513 Baines et al Mar.26, 19,29 1,723,390 Tingley Aug. 6, 1929 5 2,440,967 Moore May 4, 1948245,114

FOREIGN PATENTS Switzerland July 1, 1947

